Domestic appliance



Oct. 11, 1960 'LE ROY McDoNNoLD DOMESTIC APPLIANCE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed June 30. 1959 Fig. 2

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Oct. l1, 1960 LE ROY McnoNNoLD 2,955,891

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Filed June 30. 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENToR. LeRoyMcDo/mold 7d His Af/orn y United States Patent hice Patented Oct. 1l,1960 DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Le Roy McDonnold, West Carrollton, Ohio, assgnorto General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of DelawareFiled June 30, 1959, Ser. No. 824,055

4 Claims. (Cl. S12-242) This invention relates to cooking appliances andparticularly to unitary built-in wall oven structures.

In some installations of unitary built-in wall oven structuressupportingly inserted into a cavity provided in an upright wall of akitchen or a cupboard therein,

the form or size of the unitary structure as compared to the cavityopening, its fit in the cavity together with the weight thereof has beenrelied upon to hold the structure against being shifted relative to thecavity or wall in which the cavity is located. Since the size of acavity opening or wall thereof for a particular dimensioned wall ovenunit or structure may vary considerably from house `to house, suchbuilt-in wall oven unit installations have not been entirelysatisfactory. In this type of oven unit or structure installations, theunit or structure becomes, after usage thereof, shifted out of alignmentwith bounding walls of a cavity or relative to its opening and therebyrenders the installation objectionable in appearance resulting inservice calls to realign the oven structure With respect to edges of thecavity opening or to push the oven unit back into the cavity. Icontemplate a wall oven installation which will prevent shifting of anoven structure supportedly inserted into a cavity provided in a kitchenwall or cupboard relative thereto irrespective of building tolerancesbetween walls of a cavity or edges of the opening thereof so as toeliminate the likelihood of the installation thereafter becomingunsightly and to dispense with service calls for the purpose described.

An object of my invention is to provide on an oven structure to be built-in a wall means for facilitating and reducing the time required toinstall the structure in a cavity of the Wall.

Another object of my invention is 'to provide for the installation of aunitary oven structure into a cavity Ain a room Wall and the locking ofsame therein without dismantling parts thereof or removing the ovendoors therefrom.

Another object of my invention is to provide a iirst member, such as aunitary oven structure, with means for anchoring same in a cavity in asecond member or kitchen Wall after placing or inserting the firstmember or structure into supported relationship within the cavity of thesecond member or wall lfor preventing shifting movement therebetween.

A further object of my invention is to provide a unitary oven structureadapted to be inserted into a supported position in a cavity of akitchen wall or the like with means which is operable from exteriorly ofthe structure and the wall after the oven structure has been supportedin the cavity for preventing shifting movement of ythe structurerelative thereto and which is also adjustable to permit removal of thestructure from the cavity.

A still further object of my invention is to provide opposed fasteningdevices on an oven structure that are normally inside the periphery ofbounding walls of the oven to permit insertion of the structure as aunit into a supported position in a cavity therefor and which devicesinclude or comprise a clamping element pivotally mounted thereon and alocking adjustable member operable through a front wall or the forwardsurface of the structure for moving or swinging the clamping elementabout its mounting laterally away from walls of the oven to forcefullywedge and lock a part of the element against a wall portion of thecavity inwardly of its opening to prevent shifting of the oven structurein and relative to the cavity.

In carrying out the foregoing object, it is still a further and morespecic object of my invention to conceal an opening in the front wall ofan oven structure which provides access to the adjustable member of theopposed fastening devices `by a removable cover snapped in retainedposition over the opening and normally hidden from view at the front ofthe structure by the oven doors thereof.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention isclearly shown.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of a kitchen wall and cabinetwork showinga unitary oven structure mounted in a cavity in the wall and having thepresent inventionv associated therewith;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View` oven structuresupported in the wall cavity with a clamping element of one of twoopposed fastening devices in a normal nonobstructing position prior tomoving or swinging the element into clamping or wedging engagement`against a Wall of a cavity;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Figure3 showing parts of the fastening device and their association with oneanother;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a fastening device taken onthe line 5-5 of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a view ysimilar to Figure 2 showing a part of a clampingelement of one of two opposed fastening devices wedged and lockedagainst a masonry or the like inner surface of a side wall of 4a cavityin a room or kitchen Wall.

Referring to the drawings, I show in Figure 1 thereof a portion of aroom, such as a kitchen 1U, having an upright wall 11 spaced from outerwalls of the kitchen, an upright Wall 12 adjoining an outer kitchen walland wall 11, a work counter or ledge 13, sliding drawers 14 andswingable doors 16 of a cupboard or cabinet beneath the work ledge andat the lower portion of the wall 11. The front of drawers 14 and doors16 are substantially flush with the forward surface of the inner kitchensubwall '11. Wall 11has a cavity 17 (see Figure 2) roughed therein abovethe kitchen oor at one side of work ledge 13 and this cavity is providedwith suitable supporting braces or structural reinforcements (not shown)at its bottom as is conventional in the art. A unitary cabinet-likestructure, generally represented by the reference numeral 20, isinserted as a unit into cavity 17 in wall 11 and supported therein 'bythe braces or structural reinforcements thereof. The unitary structure20 is mounted in cavity 17 with the kitchen walls 3 enclosing andconcealing all sides thereof except its front which is exposed to theinterior of kitchen 10. Unitary cabinet Vstructure 20 is a built-in walloven member, and the cayity 17 in wall 111 provides or forms a supportmember therefon In accordance with my invention, it isjdesirable toVprovide an arrangementforianchoring the firstr member, srtructure20,upon orV in a. cavity in a secondmembergwall .11, after the members areplaced in supported relationship with one another andk forl preventing`relative Vshifting movement therebetween, VThe unitary oven structureor'irst member includes a front wall or surface21 havingA anopeningvtherein,Vv a metal box-like liner forming inner walls 2 2 of aIfront opening cooking oven 23 and an outernretalV shell. formingr walls24, spaced fromN the ovenl innerwallsfl22.Y Any` suitable ory desirableVinsulating` material 26 is disposed between the doubleV bounding walls22 and 24 of oven 23 (see Figure 2),. Lineror walls 22 and walls 24 areweldedor, joined to front wall 21 in any suitable or conventionalmanner, and wall 21 is provided with a peripheral portion anged as at27, Vwhich anged portionV is adapted'to overlap and conceal edges of thecavity 17Y formed in wall 1'1. This flanged portion 27 of structure20,form,s a recess in theY front thereof and a door or doors, such asthe double doors 28, are suitably hinged thereinrfor horizontal swingingmovement and normally close the open front of oven 23. While I showdouble oven doors, which may be provided with means for simultaneouslyopening them, Ait is to be understood that a single drop or otheropening type door may be employed on the structure insofar asthe-present invention is concerned. Oven structure 20 also includes anupper compartment closed by a front panel 31 which has. a timermehcanism andan electric switch (not shown) secured to its back side andlocated in this upper compartment. 33 Y(see Figure l) are mounted onpanel 31 for controlling-.the Itimer and switch respectively to therebyener'gize and regulate therdur'ation and intensity of enervgization ofsuitableror conventional electricY heating units (not shown) disposedVinthe upper and lower portions of oven 23 to thereby provide a cookingYappliance inV the cavity 17. of wall Y11.

As before stated, it is desired-to facilitate installation of theunitary structure 20 within cavity 17 and to anchor Vsame therein forpreventing movement thereof relativeV to the ca vity and to room orkitchen wall 11' and for binding flange 27 on structure 20to this wall.It is alsoN desirable to provide an anchoring means on structure 20which does not require the same to be man-Y ually ,held or retained in;an out of the way position thereon during the act of inserting structure20Yinto theV wall cavity 17;` For this purpose, I provide on unitaryoven structure l20 opposed fastening devices, generally indicated by thereference numeral 35 in Figurel of .theV drawings,A which 'include partsmovable or operable from exteriorly of the oven structure after thestructure has Y been inserted into cavity17. VReferring now moreparticularly to Figuresl, 3, 4, andr'5, it will be noted that eachopposed fastening device 35 comprises'two elongated L-Shaped metalpieces Yhaving a base portion V41 and a Vright angled portion 42. Theportion 42 ofthe L-shaped metal pieces 'of each fasteningV device issecuredY together by a stud 43 riveted thereto, which studspacesroneend-,of the metal-pieces apart; Another movable stud 44,having a hole 464 therethrough, isv supplied with'trunnions v47 'fittedin round openings provided in the portion 42 Vof the L-shaped metalpieces at theotherY endthe'reof. Stud r44.merely spaces theV L-shapedmetal pieces apart until such time as the base portion 4 1 thereof. can`be-rigidly mounted on structure 20. A pair of rel,-V

atively-v shorter at metal pieces 49A are secured together by astud51,*1iveted thereto, which-stud spacesthe-pieces. 49apar`t. A stud52,-having-a tapped-or thl'edtldOpeli-Y Operating vknobs and dials 32and` ing 53 extending therethrough, is supplied with trunnions 54 fittedin holes provided in `an olset part of the right angled portion 4-'2 ofmetal pieces 49.A The secured together metal pieces 49 form a clampingelement for each of the fastening devices and one end of this element ispivotally mounted to portion 42 of the L-shaped metal pieces .inVany's'uitable or desirable manner, such as by aV stud or cotter pin 56.The other end of the secured together metal pieces 49 forming theclamping element are `rshaped to provide arrowhead-like points 57Vthereatl Each of the fastening devices also comprise an adjustablemember which is herein disclosed as being in the form of a threadedscrewk 5S having a head 59 provided with a screw driver receiving slotor the like therein and interposed between the L- shaped metal piecesand the clamping element. Screw 58 is loosely passed or slipped throughhole 46 in stud 44,and is threaded into-.the tapped hole 53 of the stud52 (see Figure4) to retain the adjustable member on a fastening device.Head 59Y of the adjustable member or screw 5S abuts, when this screw isrotated, against stud v44 and by virtue of screw 58.being threaded intostud 52 pulls on this stud to move or swing the clamping elementrelative tothe L-shaped metal pieces of a fastening device. The unitsoa'ssembledtogether provides an inexpensive sheet metal vfasteningdevice, and the L-shaped,piecesrthereof-form a mounting brackettherefor. This secured-together., two part mounting bracket of afastening device of the type disclosed is welded, riveted or otherwiserigidly secured, in a horizontal position, to an inner wall portion-of arecess 61 provided in walls 24 near the front of each of the opposedsides .of oven structure. 20. The forward Wall 21 of structure 20inwardly of the anged periphery thereof is provided with round openings63 each aligned with head 59 of the adjustable member of the fasteningdevices. These openings provide access to the adjustable-member fromexteriorly of structure 20 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. Asheet metal button 64, of conventional, snap-in-place type, is snappedinto engagement with the wallY of openings 63Y to provide coverstherefor so as to conceal the adjustable member of the i fasteningdevices from view at the front of structure 20 even when the ovendoors28 are opened. All parts of the two opposed .fastening devicesarenormally held within the recess r61 of walls 24 about the insulatingmaterial26 so that these devices ,willrnot form obstructions on the ovenstructure 20 during insertion Vthereof into cavity 17 of wall 1.1.Walls-24 have a cut out portion at 66 adjacent the fastening devices andsubstantially in alignment with openings 63 in the oven front wall 21''to-permit the clamping element and theV adjustable member of thefastening devices to be swung outwardly away from Vwalls of the ovenstructure.

In installing the wall oven into'cavity 17 in wall V11V of kitchen 10,the unitary cabinet structure 20, with oven doors 28 closed, is elevatedand aligned with the cavity opening. The clampingelement of fasteningdevices 35 is retained in the `recessed portion 61 of the ovenrwallsY 24in a positionV paralleling these walls; Should oven structure 20 betilted, while aligningit with the cavity opening, to one side or theother tending to cause movement of the clamping elementrof devices 35,head 59 on screw 58 will strike button 64 andthus prevent such prematuremovement of the clamping elements. The structure 20 is thentinserted orslid intoY cavity 17 ,and supported therein with the front ange 27abutted against wall 11. Thereafter oven doors V28 are opened and ascrew driver or the like tool is employed to remove the snap buttonsL64VV from wall 21 'of the supported structure 20 to provide `access tohead 59 of the screw 58 or adjuste able` member. through openings 63.vThe ,screw driver ing the screw S8, in a clockwise direction, it threadsalong the threads of tapped hole or opening 53 in stud 52. The undersideof head 59 of screw 58 bears against stud 54 during feeding or screwingof screw 58 through the stud 52. This action of screw 58 pullsdownwardly and outwardly on stud 52 and thereby swings or rotates theclamping element of a fastening device about its pivotal mounting,cotter pin 56, with respect to the bracket thereof. Movement of stud 52swings the clamping element laterally out of recess 61 away from wallsof oven Z3 and causes the arrowhead-like end points 57 on the clampingelement to forcefully engage the inner surface of wall 11. In otherwords, the arrowhead-like points 57 on the metal pieces 49 areforcefully wedged against wall 11 of kitchen 10 to bind the flangedportion 27 of front wall 21 of unit or structure 20 to this Wall and forpreventing shifting of member or structure 20 relative to its supportmember or wall 11. The interpositioning of screw 58 between the clampingelement and the mounting bracket portion of each fastening device 35 inthe manner disclosed provides a locking means for the adjustable memberor means thereof. By virtue of screw 58 being threadably connected tothe clamping element and applying force to stud 54 upon being rotated,the adjustable means on fastening devices 35 are constructed andarranged to cooperate with other parts thereof so as to at all timeslock the clamping element in any one of a plurality of moved positionsabout its pivotal mounting. It is to be understood that the fasteningdevices 35 are separately operated to uniformly draw, bind and lock thestructure 20 within the cavity 17 after insertion thereof thereinto. Theunitary structure 2t) is removably locked within cavity 17 and in orderto withdraw or remove the structure from the cavity the operationsdescribed are merely reversed.

In Figure 6 of the drawings, I show enclosing walls of a cavity formedof masonry material which may -be any type, such, for example, asplastered walls 67. This disclosure illustrates that my fasteningdevices 35 are universally applicable to different types of cavity wallstructures. It will be noted by reference to Figure 6 that theadjustable member or screw 58 has been threaded into stud 52 only farenough to cause the arrowhead-like points 57 on the clamping element ofa fastening device 35 to engage and be forcefully embedded in theplastered side wall 67 of cavity 17. By forcing the pointed ends 57 ofthe clamping element of device 35 into the plastered inner wall 67, ovenor cabinet structure 2t) is prevented from being shifted within orrelative to the cavity 17. Thus the construction of wall 11 and walls ofthe cavity therein need not be of a particular or prespecified characterto render the fastening devices 35 herein disclosed applicable thereto.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that I have provided animproved arrangement for anchoring a cabinet or wall oven structure andthe like member in a wall cavity or support member. The fasteningdevices on my improved wall oven structure do not interfere withinsertion of the structure as a-unit into a cavity and the adjustablemeans or member of the devices cooperate with other parts of the devicesto lock the clamping element thereof in any one of a plurality of movedpositions. The devices and the operating means or adjustable memberthereof are concealed from view to thus improve the exterior appearanceof a built-in wall oven structure. My present arrangement eliminates thenecessity of removing a door or doors from a wall oven structure at thetime of installing same in a cavity of a room wall and therebysimplifies and reduces the time required by a service man to make suchan installation.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed,constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other formsmight be adopted.

6, Y What is claimed is as follows v 1. A cabinet structure having aplurality of walls deHJ ning a chamber therein and a forward wallbounding said chamber adapted to be inserted 4as a unit into a'supported position within a cavity provided in an upright wall portionof a room or the like, means for preventing shifting of said supportedcabinet relative to the cavity in said room wall, said means comprisinga bracket carried by and secured to said cabinet structure inwardly ofthe forward wall thereof, a clamping element pivotally mounted upon saidbracket and an adjustable member interposed between the bracket and saidclamping element, said adjustable member being rotatably connected tothe clamping element, said cabinet forward wall having an openingtherein substantially aligned with a part of said adjustable member andclosed by a cover, said part of said adjustable member normally abuttinga portion of said cover to hold said clamping element against swingingmovement about its pivotal mounting on said bracket during the act ofinserting said unit into the cavity of said room wall, said cover beingmovable with respect to the forward wall of said cabinet structure afterinsertion of the unit into said cavity to uncover the opening in saidcabinet forward wall and provide access therethrough to said part ofsaid adjustable member for operating same, the operation of said memberrotating same about its rotatable connection with said clamping elementto swing the element about its pivotal mounting outwardly away from saidcabinet structure to forcefully wedge the element into engagement with awall portion of said cavity inwardly of the room Wall, and saidrotatable connection of the adjustable member with said clamping elementlocking the element in said wedged position thereof.

2.. An arrangement for anchoring a first structure having a forward walland other walls extending perpendicular thereto in a supported positionupon a second support structure therefor including, a fastening devicecarried -by said rst structure, lsaid device comprising a bracketsecured to a perpendicular wall of said first structure inwardly of theforward wall thereof, a clamping element pivotally mounted upon saidbracket and an adjustable member interposed between the bracket and saidclamping element, said -adjustable member being rotatably connected tothe clamping element, the forward wall of said iirst structure having anopening therein substantially aligned with an end part of saidadjustable member and closed by a cover attached to said forward wall,said end part of said adjustable member normally abutting a portion ofsaid cover to hold said clamping element against swinging movement aboutits pivotal mounting on said bracket during the act of placing saidstructures in supported relationship, said cover being movable withrespect to the forward wall of said first structure to uncover theopening therein and provide access therethrough to said end part of saidadjustable member for operating same, the operation of said memberrotatting same about its rotatable connection with said clamping elementto swing the element about its pivotal mount- 'ing outwardly away fromsaid perpendicular wall of said lfirst structure to forcefully wedge theelement into engagement with a wall portion of said support structure,and said rotatable connection of the adjustable member with saidclamping element of said fastening device locking the element in saidwedged position for preventing shifting of the structures relative toone another.

3. A structure having a forward wall and a plurality of insulated wallsof predetermined thickness extending therefrom dening a front openingoven adapted to be inserted as a unit into a supported posit-ion withina cavity provided in `an upright wall of a room or the like, means forpreventing shifting of said unit supported in the cavity relative tosaid room wall, said means including a fastening device carried by saidstructure and inset in one of the insulated walls of said oven so as tobe justablefrnember interposed between the bracket and said clampingelement, said adjustable member being rotatably connectedto the clampingelement, said forward wall ofV said oven structure having an openingthereintsubstantially aligned with an end part of saidradjustablemem-ber* and closed by a detachable button, said end part ofsaidvadjustable memberY normally abutting a portion ot'saidV detachablebutton to hold said clamping element against` swinging movement `aboutits pivotal mounting onlsada bracket during the act of inserting saidunit intolthaV cavity of said room wall, said button being removablefrom the forward wall of said oven structure after insertion of the unitinto said cavity. to open the opening in said forward wallV and provideaccess therethrough to :said end part vof said adjustable memberforopenating same, the operation of said member rotating same about itsrotatable connection with said clamping element to swing the elementabout its pivotal mounting out-of thev inset in said one oven insulatedwall beyond the predetermined thickness thereof to forcefully wedge theelement into engagement with a wall portion of saidcavity inwardly ofthe room wall, and said Yrotatable connection of the adjustable memberof said fastening device with said clamping element thereof locking theelement in said' wedged position.V Y

4. A structure provided with a forward wall and a plurality of insulatedwalls of predetermined thickness extending therefrom deiining a frontopening oven having door means closing the open front thereof adapted tobeV inserted las a unit `into a supported position within a cavity in anupright wall of a room or the like, means for preventing'shifting ofsaid unit supported in the cavity relative to said room wall, said meansincluding a fastening device carried byv said structurey `and inset inVone of the insulated walls of 'said oven so as to be wholly lOl disposedwithin said predetermined thickness thereof, said device comprisingabracket secured to said structure inwardly of the forward wall thereof,a clampingelement pivotally mounted uponV said bracket and"anadjustablemember interposed between the bracket and said clamping element, saidadjustable memberbeingrotatably connected to the clamping element, said;forward .walliof said oven structure having anopeningthereinrsubstantially 'aligned with anV endLpart'of saidadjustabley member and closed by a cover, said endpart of saidVadjustable member normally abutting a portion of said `coveryto holdYsaid clamping element against swinging movement about its pivot-a1mounting on said bracketzduring the` iactof inserting said .unit intothe cavity otsaid room: wall, said door means being openable andsaidcover being movable with respectV tothe forward wall of said ovenstructure after insertion of the unit into said cavity to uncover theIopening in saidforwal-d wall and provide `access therethrough to saidend part of said adjustable member Afor operating same, the operation'of'saidl member rotating same Vabout its rotatable connection with-saidclamping element to swing the element about its pivotal mountingoutwardly away from said one insulated oven wall to forcefully wedge theelementy `into engagement with a wall portion of said cavity inwardly ofthe room wall, said rotatable connection of the adjustable member withsaid clamping element locking the element in said wedged positionthereof,V said cover thereafter being movable to close the opening insaid forward wall of said oven structure, and YVs-aid door rneansrwhenVmoved shut closing the open front of said oven .and concealing ,saidcover.

References Citedin therle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,340,823Scott Feb. 1, 1944 2,439,664 Marchand Apr. 13, 1948 2,739,584 Hupp Mar.27, 1956 2,908,416V Rudolph Oct. 13, 1959

